Handgun compensator

Abstract

A recoil compensator for a handgun defines a through opening along a central axis, the through opening including a threaded portion configured to threadably engage the threads on the distal end portion of the barrel. The recoil compensator further defines a port in a top wall and defines fastener openings each configured to receive a taper pin. When the recoil compensator is installed on the barrel, the central axis is substantially coincident with the bore axis and the port is configured to vent a portion of propellant gases from the barrel upon firing the handgun. The threaded portion threadably engages the threads on the barrel with a distal end of the barrel positioned proximally of the port. Each taper pin is received in a respective fastener opening and engages a side of the barrel. A slide assembly and handgun including the compensator are also disclosed.

1 . A recoil compensator for a semiautomatic handgun, comprising:
 a compensator body extending along a bore axis and defining an opening extending through the compensator body along the bore axis, the compensator body including   a top wall;   a bottom wall;   side walls extending downward from the top wall;   a distal wall connected to the side walls and defining a projectile opening centered on the bore axis; and   an intermediate wall spaced axially from the distal wall, the intermediate wall defining a barrel opening;   wherein the compensator body defines an open region axially between the distal wall and the intermediate wall, and between the top wall, bottom wall, and side walls;   wherein the top wall defines a port between the distal wall and the intermediate wall, the port configured to vent a portion of propellant gases from a handgun barrel when the recoil compensator is installed on the handgun barrel; and   wherein the bottom wall is closed from the intermediate wall to the distal wall.   
     
     
         2 . The recoil compensator of  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the opening extending through the compensator body is threaded. 
     
     
         3 . The recoil compensator of  claim 1 , wherein the top wall defines at least one fastener opening in communication with the open region. 
     
     
         4 . The recoil compensator of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one fastener opening includes a first fastener opening on a first side of the bore axis and a second fastener opening on an opposite second side of the bore axis, each of the first and second fastener openings configured and positioned to receive a fastener that engages an outside surface of the handgun barrel in an installed state. 
     
     
         5 . The recoil compensator of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 first and second fasteners each having a shaft portion and a head portion;   wherein each of the first and second fastener openings defines a pocket inside the compensator body, the pocket configured to receive the shaft portion of the corresponding first or second fastener when the recoil compensator is installed on the handgun barrel.   
     
     
         6 . The recoil compensator of  claim 5 , wherein at least part of the pocket is threaded, and wherein the shaft portion includes threads. 
     
     
         7 . The recoil compensator of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the first and second fastener openings has female threads;   the head portion of each of the first and second fasteners has male threads corresponding to the female threads; and   each of the first and second fasteners includes a tapered section.   
     
     
         8 . The recoil compensator of  claim 7 , wherein the shaft portion of each of the first and second fasteners includes a straight section, wherein the tapered section is between the head portion and the straight section. 
     
     
         9 . The recoil compensator of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first and second fasteners includes a second straight section between the head portion and the tapered section. 
     
     
         10 . The recoil compensator of  claim 1 , wherein the top wall includes a first portion extending generally perpendicular to the distal wall, and includes a second portion connected to and extending downward and forward from the first portion at an angle from 5-30° with respect to the bore axis, wherein the second portion defines the port. 
     
     
         11 . The recoil compensator of  claim 10 , wherein the compensator body includes an upper portion defining the open region, and wherein the recoil compensator further includes a lower portion below the upper portion and defining a recoil spring box. 
     
     
         12 . The recoil compensator of  claim 1 , further comprising a front sight mounted to the top wall of the compensator body. 
     
     
         13 . A handgun comprising:
 a frame;   a slide assembly configured to reciprocate along a top of the frame, the slide assembly comprising:   a slide extending longitudinally to a distal end;   a barrel extending along a bore axis and having a distal end portion including threads and defining flats or recesses in opposite sides of the barrel, wherein the barrel is configured to be received in the slide with the distal end portion extending beyond the distal end of the slide; and   the recoil compensator of  claim 1 , wherein the through opening has threads corresponding to the threads on the distal end portion of the barrel.   
     
     
         14 . The handgun of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 fasteners;   wherein the compensator body defines fastener openings each configured to receive one of the fasteners; and   wherein when the recoil compensator is installed on the barrel, a proximal end portion of the compensator is adjacent the distal end of the slide, the central axis is substantially coincident with the bore axis, the distal end of the barrel is positioned proximally of the port, the fasteners are received in respective fastener openings and engage respective flats or recesses on opposite sides of the barrel, and the port is configured and arranged to vent a portion of propellant gases from the barrel upon firing the handgun.   
     
     
         15 . The handgun of  claim 14 , wherein the fastener openings are defined in the top wall of the compensator body, the fastener openings including a first fastener opening on a first side of the bore axis and a second fastener opening on an opposite second side of the bore axis. 
     
     
         16 . The handgun of  claim 15 , wherein the fasteners include a first fastener and a second fastener each having a shaft portion and a head portion. 
     
     
         17 . The handgun of  claim 16 , wherein the compensator body defines a pocket corresponding to each of the fastener openings, the pocket in an inside of the compensator body and configured to receive part of the shaft portion of the corresponding first or second fastener when the recoil compensator is installed on the handgun barrel. 
     
     
         18 . The handgun of  claim 16 , wherein:
 each of the first and second fastener openings has female threads;   the head portion of the first fastener and the second fastener has male threads corresponding to the female threads; and   the shaft portion of each of the first fastener and second fastener includes a tapered section.   
     
     
         19 . The handgun of  claim 18 , wherein the shaft portion of each of the first and second fasteners includes a straight section, wherein the tapered section is between the head portion and the straight section. 
     
     
         20 . The handgun of  claim 14 , further comprising a front sight mounted on the top wall of the compensator body.